The sun., 1887-07-14
DULUTH AND IT'S ADVANTAGES.
Bonding Of the City fer Railroad Purposes
Discussed.

Bonding Of the City fer Railroad Purposes
Discussed.
EDITOR NORRIS SUN:-Being aware
that many of your readers and my
old friends would like to hear from
this city, because Of their desire for
more cordial relations in trade and
otherwise. and their hope that the
time is not far distant when Duluth
will be in Il position to release them
from the grasp of the Minneapolis
wheat ring, will state through the
columns of TIE Sun certain things
that are deing done here to connect
us more closely with the wheat belt
of Western Minnesota and Northern
Dakota.
There are in this, rs in all places.
two parties, not political, but pro-
yressive and anti progressive parties.
Tie progressive party is in favor of
bonding the city and county for funds
to enable Duluth to establish the
terminii and secure the business of
the great railroads now centering in
st. Paul and Minneapolis, notably the
Manitoba ana Northern Pacific sys-
tens. The Northern Pacific, of
course, is already here. but its inter.
ests are not us closely identified with
our city as its important geographic
cal position demands. The idea OF
progressionists is to grant these com.
| panies lands for terminal use-shops,
etc. The ntl-progressionists argue
that rs the coming of the roads is Il
matter of certainty there is no need
| of this and that the gift would be
thrown away. With my limited
knowledge of affairs anu short resi-
dence in the city l am satisfied that
the latter are mistaken. and that some
day in the not remote future they
will discover that through their short
sightedness and lack of enterprise
they have lost fine opportunities, and
that Superior, Wis. has profited by
the loss. They will then think as the
old fellow did who was watching the
movements of Il Baptist minister en-
gagged in baptizing converts by inn
mersion in the river on certain Oc-
casion. He was so much interested
in the proceedings that he drew very
close to the edge of the ice when the
minister grabbed and ducked him.
AS soon as he recovered his breath
he asked: 'What did you do that
forl' Why" said the minister, II
supposed you were one of the con
verts.' "W.we.well, you have made
the d--dest mistake of your life. y
At the present time there are a
large number of projected railroads
through this state, all of which desire
connection with Duluth, and the peo
pie of this city are willing to give
them all the assistance and encour-
agement possible; which is all right,
as these roads will prove of great ad
vantage to Duluth in the future
But their first efforts should be to Sc
cure the roads already constructed
and in full and active operation. The
Manitoba has already penetrated and
draws from the most fruitful parts OF
| Minnesota and Dakota and could
bring to our city immediate and sub
Stantial returns. The Northern IN
cific too, with It's immense connec
tions in the far west, coming d
rectly to Duluth, would shortenf fht
route and thus make direct shipments
of western cattle and produce to the
markets of the east. These roads, ir
my opinion, should receive the first
attention of this city. Our people
should also see that some road should
connect this place with your section
of the state and meet the freight
rates Of the Minneapolis and Pacific
and thus secure for Duluth the wheat
that naturally belongs here instead o1
allowing this latter road to carry II
all to Minneapolis.
These things can all be accomplish
ed, no doubt, in time; but at present
Duluth has to fight the combined
: wealth. and influence of the "Sistel
, Cities" / am confident, however
that with the support of the state al
large, or, at least that part that i:
tributary to it, Duluth will he able tt
overcome that weighty combination
Certainly there should be felt state
, pride in securing and maintaining fo1
/ this city, as far as is possible, it.
commercial Importance. it beinl
Minnesota's only real live port, for i
is destined, ere long, to become ;
formidable rival of Chicago.
Yours truly,
c.. Il. MAGINNIs.